Author: Felix

Constructing the Legion Deimos Pattern Rhino

I pre-ordered the Horus Heresy Deimos Pattern Rhino and having picked it from my local FLGS I did think, would I leave it on the shelf for a few months (or years) before I started on it. Well I even surprised myself and actually started it a day or so after picking it up.

The model has many more parts and is a more detailed kit than the original plastic Rhino kit that came out in the 1980s.

It does go together quite easily, though I found some parts challenging.

I did think the rear door ramp was hard to attach. Also ensuring there are no gaps with the top superstructure was a bit of a challenge.

I decided not to paint the interior, though I am tempted to get another kit and do the interior on that one.

I added the final parts to the model.

I went with a simplistic version, single bolters.

I have left the tracks off and will be painting those separately.

The next stage will be a white undercoat.

Westland Wessex HCC4

The Westland Wessex was a British-built turbine-powered development of the Sikorsky H-34. It was developed and produced under licence by Westland Helicopters. One of the main changes from Sikorsky’s H-34 was the replacement of the piston-engine powerplant with a turboshaft engine. Early models were powered by a single Napier Gazelle engine, while later builds used a pair of de Havilland Gnome engines.

The initial production version was for the Royal Navy but in the early 1960s the RAF required a powerful general-purpose helicopter capable of troop-carrying, air ambulance and ground attack roles. Westland responded with the Wessex HC2 which first entered RAF service with No.18 Squadron, based at RAF Odiham, Hampshire, in January 1964.

Four years later Westland Helicopters received an order for two Wessex aircraft to equip The Queen’s Flight. These were designated HCC4. The aircraft were built to HC2 standard but with the main cabin having a VIP interior finish, furnishings and sound proofing plus an external folding step below the cabin door. 

Additional Decca navigation equipment was installed on the flight deck. The first flight took place on 17 March 1969. The first official flight was on 1 July 1969 in support of the Investiture of the Prince of Wales at Caernarfon Castle, Wales. The helicopters in their distinctive red/dark blue paint scheme operated for many years from RAF Benson.

From 31 March 1995 they moved to RAF Northolt and became part of No.32 (The Royal) Squadron.

The Wessex HCC4 was retired in 1998 and No.32 (The Royal) Squadron gave up the task of providing helicopters for the Royal Family. The Royal Household awarded a ten year contract to Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation and Hanson Helicopters to provide the Queen with an S76 and civilian crew.

Undercoating the Thermic Plasma Conduits

I picked up a copy of Warhammer Imperium Issue 37 which comes with some Thermic Plasma Conduits.

This kit is no longer available from Games Workshop and you get one sprue which allows you to build a series of conduits.

The kit goes together quite easily. I made mine into three large conduits.

The models were then given a white undercoat.

Next step will be the basecoat.

‘The Flying Eggbeater’

Sikorsky Hoverfly

The Sikorsky Hoverfly was the world’s first operational helicopter, first flown in January 1942. It was widely used during the last 16 months of the Second World War in Burma and the Pacific serving with the US Army Air Force, US Navy and US Coastquard on liaison and rescue tasks. 

The Hoverfly Mk I was also the first RAF helicopter – operated by The King’s Flight, Helicopter Training Flight at Andover and No. 529 (Radar Calibration) Squadron.

The Hoverfly Mk 1 was not capable of carrying heavy loads and was mainly used by the RAF to prove that rotary wing aircraft could support military operations. During its RAF career the Hoverfly was nicknamed ‘The Flying Eggbeater’.

Drybrushing the Converted Factorum Ruins

Having converted and constructed the Ruined Factorum into two different ruins, the next stage was giving them a white undercoat. Then it was onto painting them and giving them a wash. 

I had got a couple of Ruined Factorum sprues that came with Warhammer 40000 Imperium 34. The ruins are from the The Battlezone: Manufactorum – Sub-cloister and Storage Fane kit.  You get two more corner ruins, all coming on a single sprue. I did manage to pick up a second magazine and decided that I would convert them. It was a relatively simple conversion swapping over the corners. 

I then drybrushed them using Citadel Dry paints. I first used some Dawnstone Dry Paint and then a lighter drybrush of Terminatus Stone.

Westland Whirlwind

The Westland Whirlwind helicopter was a British licence-built version of the U.S. Sikorsky S-55/H-19 Chickasaw. It primarily served with the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm in anti-submarine and search and rescue roles.

This RAF Rescue Westland Whirlwind was on display at RAF London.

The Royal Air Force Search and Rescue Force used Whirlwinds painted in overall yellow for rescuing people in distress around the coast of the United Kingdom.

Westland Gazelle

The Aérospatiale Gazelle is a French five-seat helicopter, commonly used for light transport, scouting and light attack duties. It was designed by Sud Aviation, later Aérospatiale, and manufactured in France and the United Kingdom through a joint production agreement with Westland Aircraft. 

XW855 Westland WA.341 Gazelle HCC.4 is on display at RAF London.

In the UK, the Gazelle saw service with the Royal Navy, the RAF, and is still in service with the Army Air Corps.

It was announced in January 2022 that the rest of the British Army’s Gazelles will be phased out by March 2024 to be replaced by Airbus Helicopters H135.

Drybrushing the Ruined Factorum

I got the Ruined Factorum sprue from the Warhammer Imperium part work, issue #31. I constructed the model, undercoated it, and after giving the model a basecoat of Mechanicus Standard Grey Spray I gave the model a wash of Nuln Oil Shade.

Once the model was dry I drybrushed the model. I first used some Dawnstone Dry Paint and then a lighter drybrush of Terminatus Stone.

These photographs don’t really show the finished model, so I think I will need to retake them. This one taken with a phone does show off the drybrushing much better.